2nd Annual New York City International Film Festival August 18th-24th

 

The 2nd Annual New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF) comes to Manhattan and with it movies from around the world. NYCIFF introduces the creative works of emerging and established filmmakers to a broad but unique audience.  Affluent New Yorkers, and the general public will be able to experience and enjoy independent, creative films.   NYCIFF promotes for 11 days New York City’s Theater District and Times Square as the cradle of cutting edge entertainment, and opens the doors of  NYC to an eclectic, international and national, group of the filmmaking community.

Peachtree Village International Film Festival 2011 Thursday 18 August — Sunday 21 August 2011

Established in 2006, the core mission of the PVIFF is to promote cultural diversity within the arts. Through its film showcases and programming, it annually introduces the top echelon of emerging artists to the film and television industry.

The Opening Night for this year’s festival will include a special VIP screening at the Woodruff Arts Center of the highly anticipated drama, “Things Fall Apart,” starring 50 Cent, Ray Liotta, Lynn Whitfield and Mario Van Peebles. The PVIFF will also devote special screenings and events to celebrate the 20th anniversaries of urban film classics, “Jungle Fever” and “New Jack City”.

Where: Atlanta, Georgia

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Tribeca in AC: Movies on Caesars Beach

Look out, New Jersey: Tribeca is headed to the beach again this summer! Through our continued partnership with Caesars Atlantic City, we will co-host a series of four FREE outdoor screenings on the beach in Atlantic City, from Thursday, July 7, to Sunday, July 10, 2011. What’s more, Caesars Atlantic City is offering friends of Tribeca—and that means you—a generous rate for anyone who joins us ‘down the shore’ for the big event. We hope you’ll head to South Joisey for what promises to be a fun-filled weekend of movies, sun, and family fun!

Film & Foodie Review: Rejoice and Shout

The Film: Rejoice and Shout is a documentary exposing centuries of the evolution of African American Gospel music. With commentary from musical legends such as Smokey Robinson, Andrae Crouch and more, a documentary which took years into making finally comes to life.  READ MORE

Film and Foodie Review: Jumping the Broom

The Film: Jumping the Broom is a witty, comical and oftentimes predictable movie about an African American couple that hail from two very different socio-economic backgrounds who get married in Martha’s Vineyard.  The focus is primarily on the weekend of the wedding—of course, but is filled with heartfelt, tender and soulful moments. The movie stars Paula Patton, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine and Laz Alonso.  (READ MORE)

Ultimate Awards Party Menu Recipes

Golden Globes, American Music Awards, Grammy Night and the Oscars are among the biggest event nights not just for the stars going to glamorous but millions more people take the time to gather for celebration.  As we root for a our favorite singer, rapper, actor or movie we munch and sip the night away.  A great way to plan your menu especially when it comes to film award shows is by genre.  One year MCCN took a suggestion from a commenter about the concept of an Avatini.  We searched for Blue Martini recipe and named it the Avatini of course of one of the most celebrated films of the year.  In 2011 True Grit presents an opportunity to pull out a gourmet shrimp and grits recipe.  In the social Network Justin Timberlake orders a round of appletini’s.   Each year the nominations may follow a particular culture prominently featured in the film.  It presents easy idea.  Champagne and Sparkling Cider are always the celebration night old standby.  Here are some options.  Send us your suggestions.

Music Awards

• Cupcakes are very trendy right now with so many expressions just like music they are great finger food.  Some of the best cupcake spots include Big Man Bakes, Brooklyn Cupcakes, Cupcake and Cookie…READ MORE.   (Photo Cupcake Wars Winner Cupcake and Cookie)
• Try your hand at Chicken and Waffle or pick up some.  Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles made them famous but many restaurants have incorporated this pairing in their menu. Fried or Jerk Chicken wings are great with this.
• Music awards are often the crossroads of casual meets glamor so we suggest grilled cheese and wine.  See Grilled Cheese and Wine Pairings.

Film Awards

Films Set in England

• Wassail Recipe- It’s a great way to warm up your guests coming in from the Cold

Films Set in France: 

• Escargo in Garlic and Butter
• Crepes
• Champagne

Films Set in Manhattan, NY

• Oysters Rockefeller
• Cosmopolitan

Asian Themed Films:

• Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Sushi
• Eel
• Ha Gow (Shrimp Dumplings)
• Vegetarian Egg Rolls

Western Movies or Country Music Awards

• Shrimp and Grits
• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Hush Puppies
• Pulled Pork Barbecue Sliders

Films Set in Mexico

Michelada (Oaxacan Beer Cocktail)

Sweet Tamales

Sports Films

• Cracker Jacks
• Chicago Hot Dog

Films taking places in Latin Countries (Central America, Cuba, Puerto Rico)

Puerto Rico:

• Pina Colada
• Empanadas

Cuba or (City of Miami) : Mojito

•  Chicharrones(pork cracklings)
• Plantains
• Yucca Croquets by Chef Jay Bonilla
• how-to-make-yucca-croquets.html

Films Set in Italy/Italian American Films

• Wine Pick- Coppala Wines (From Francis Ford Coppala Winery)
• Easy Magherita Pizza Recpe

Films set in West Africa(Sierra Leone, Gambia, Nigeria,…)

• Amala

• West African Scotch Bonnet Eggs Recipe
• Abacha

Films Set in the Middle East

Hummus Recipe

Films Set in India

• Alu Ki Tikki (Potato Patties)
• Apricot Snowballs(Dessert)
• Curry Beef Satay  by Chef Jay Jones
• Samosa

Films Set in the Caribbean

• Minature Jamaican Beef Patties
• Conch Fritters
• Pina Colada
• Codfish Fritters

Anti Valentine’s Day Movie List II

Another year, another Anti-Valentine’s day list. Last year people were pretty vocal about our Anti-Valentine’s Day list. We encourage you to speak up if you think something is missing from the list. This year we sprinkled a film or two with a little hope. We selected those films because the love story has a lot of unglamorous bumps and hurdles. This list spans four decades of “Love Stinks.” Without further ado, let’s check out the Anti-Valentine’s list Part II. READ MORE

Film and Foodie: Eat Pray and Love

The Film: Eat Pray & Love- Based on the best seller, Julia Roberts plays the main character of Liz, a lost miserable soul. Pretty early in the film she realizes that her marriage is not for her but she rebounds into the arms of the gorgeous James Franco, a younger man. However, he is not the answer. She comes to conclusion that she needs time to be single and figure some things out. First a few months of indulgent eating in Italy and then a quest for spirituality(balance).

Eat Pray and Love is entertaining but is does not quite live up to the hype. Richard Jenkins, James Franco and Javier Bardem are the brighter spots in the film.

The Foodie: Liz had to learn to let go and enjoy life. She decided to enjoy the pleasures of food its ok if muffin top happens. We watched Liz stuff her face in Italy with proscuitto and melon, pizza and chicken carbonara then prepare an American Thanksgiving dinner turkey. Then we watched her eat naan in India and down a Thumbs up soda with Richard Jenkins. In Bali, unfortunately, we did not get exposed to their cuisine. However, coffee and rice are cultivated there.

Film and Foodie Review: Prince of Persia

The Film: The spotlight is on Jake Gyllenhall as he plays the Prince of Persia based on the video game.  As proved with Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney knows how to expand a story based on not much of anything.  Prince of Persia is shot in an epic style and it likely to please families because of its good clean fun.  At times the film came across as corny due to duties of emulating the video game which include video games like back flips and unbelievable jumps by the leading man. 

 Two of the strongest ingredients of the film are Gyllenhall and Ben Kingsley.  He is a fabulous layered actor who can evoke powerful emotion through his big blue sappy eyes as he plays Prince Dastan.  Kingsley is a joy to watch as a master actor as the King’s brother Nizam.  The two are supported with an engaging cast rounded out with the always entertaining Alfred Molina (Spiderman II, Frida).

In the tradition of Raiders of the Lost and The Mummy, the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time shares the mystical concepts of curses, Gods and snakes; however, the hero is not an archaeologist but a Prince.  His adventure to put all things as they should involves a beautiful mouthy princess (Gemma Atherton) as his pain in the butt. As there learn to be amicable toward each other, they join forces to prevent a Sandstorm which could destroy the world. 

Admittedly, The Prince of Persia has a few surprising twists and turns plus a cool ending.  The audience enthusiastically clapped at the end of show.  Despite finding many moments to be hokey, all in all it is a good film.  The dynamic between as his brothers will most guessing.  The characters are not flat but fleshed out.  Furthermore, Disney deserves high marks for providing a truly family friendly film.   

Food: Our website has a number of great recipe selection from Armenia to Lebanon.  Click here to for the Armenian Bell Pepper Recipe

 

See article on the Multicultural Jake Gyllenhall

Best American Patriotic Film List

Film Critic Michael Fusco provides a list of the Best Patriotic Films.  Click Here for  Best American Patriotic Film List